Cleaning device



Sept. 26, 1967 c. NOLTE 3,34

CLEANING DEVICE Filed Jan. 18. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 64 INVENTOR.

LOU/S C. NOLTE F/G.-Z WW I ATTORNEY Sept. 26, 1967 L. c. NOLTE CLEANINGDEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 18. 1965 q' u 0- I42 INVENTOR. LOUISc. NOLTE ATTORNEY Sept. 26, 1967 L c. NOLTE 31,343,199

CLEANING DEVICE v Filed Jan. 18. 1965 4 f 5 LOU/S C. NOLTE BY: a

A TTORNE Y Sept. 26, 1967 Filed Jan. 18, 1965 L c. NOLTE CLEANING DEVICE4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

LOUIS C. NOLTE ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 26, 1967 This application is acontinuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 65,083, filed Oct.26, 1960, now Patent No. 3,180,071.

This invention relates genarlly to a cleaning device and moreparticularly to a cleaning fluid discharge device in a wet and drysuction cleaner.

Combined wet and dry pickup suction cleaners are used for a wide varietyof cleaning operations. However, those machines previously used hadcertain disadvantages, particularly when they were used for wet pick upoperations. For one thing, prior suction cleaners could not economicallystore the cleaning fluid inside the machine, and then spray the cleaningfluid on a surface to be cleaned, and finally draw the cleaning fluidback into the tank after use.

In addition, prior suction cleaners were not provided with means forpumping the dirty cleaning fluid out of the cleaner, particularly whenthe sewer drains into which the cleaning fluid was to be discharged wasin a sink or a tub at an elevation higher than the suction cleaner. Insuch cases the operator had to bodily lift the machine, and dump thecleaning fluid into the sink or tub. This Was diflicult and sometimesimpossible for the operator because the machine was very heavy when itwas full of liquid. In addition, such machines were readily damagedbecause the operator often dropped the machines in the process oflifting them to dump out the cleaning solution.

What is needed therefore and comprises the principal object of thisinvention is to provide a combined wet and dry pick up suction cleanerwhich has means for forcibly applying or spraying the cleaning solutiononto surfaces to be cleaned and which has means for rapidly pumping thecleaning fluid out of the machine and into sewer drains which for somereason may be inaccessible to the machine, or which are at a higherelevation than the liquid outlet in the suction cleaner.

This and other objects of this invention will become more apparent whenunderstood in the light of the accompanying specifications and drawingsherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the suction cleaner constructed according tothe principals of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1, andshowing the construction of the combined suction cleaner when used fordry pick up operation.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the suction cleaner shown in FIG. 2 but wtihthe collector can removed to disclose to mechanism in the base of thehousing.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the collector can showing details of its base.

FIG. 5 is an elevational sectional view of the suction cleaner set upfor a wet pick up operation.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the base of the housing of the suctioncleaner.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an elevational sectional view of the suction cleaner set upfor spraying or applying cleaning solution or for pumping cleaningsolution out of the collector can after use.

FIG. 9 shows a modification of the suction cleaner embodying principalsof this invention.

FIG. 10 is a portion of the modified suction cleaner shown in FIG. 9,adapted for use with the collector cans and tools of conventionalsuction cleaners.

FIG. 11 shows a tool used with the suction cleaner of this inventionadjusted to pick up cleaning solution.

FIG. 12 is the tool shown in FIG. 11 but adjusted for spraying orapplying cleaning solution onto a surface to be cleaned.

FIG. 13 is a view of the valve structure used with the tool shown inFIG. 12, but adjusted for use when the suction cleaner is used to pickup liquids.

FIG. 14 is a view of the valve structure in the tool shown in FIG. 13but adjusted for use when the suction cleaner is used to spray or applycleaning solution onto a surface to be cleaned.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a suction cleaning indicatedgenerally by the referenced numeral 10 comprises a housing 12. Thehousing is mounted on a pair of rotatably mounted rear wheels 14 and apair of front casters 16 so that the suction cleaner can be easilyturned and moved in a manner well known in the art, see FIG. 2.

The housing is formed in two parts. One part of the housing comprises acollector can 18 and the other part comprises a motor or base housing 20where part of the suction cleaner mechanism is mounted. The collectorcan 18 is removably mounted on the base housing 20 by means of clips 22.With this arrangement, if repairs are necessary the mechanism of thesuction cleaner mounted in base housing 20 can be shipped in a compactand economical package back to the factory, without shipping the bulkycollector can.

As seen in FIG. 2, the collector can 18 is provided with a two-plygenerally circular base 24. The upper ply 26 of the base is dished toprevent the base from sagging when the collector can is full of dirt orliquid. This is important for reasons to become apparent below. Thelower ply 28 is designed so at least a part thereof serves as adiaphragm. The collector can 18 is also provided with legs 19. With thisarrangement the collector can 18 when removed from the base housing 20can be placed on a supporting surface without permitting the diaphragmportion of the base 24 from coming in contact with the supportingsurface and being damaged.

The upper portion of the collector can 18 is provided with a circularlid 30, dished as shown in FIG. 2 to provide strength. The lid isprovided with a centrally dis posed opening 32 in which a swivellymounted elbow 34 is mounted by any suitable means. Elbow 34 serves asthe inlet conduit for the suction cleaner. A conical deflector 36 isremovably mounted on the lower end of elbow 34 inside the collector can18 for reasons to be described below. Clips 38 are mounted on the upperend of the collector can to removably hold the lid 30 in an air tightengagement with collector can 18.

The lid 30 is also provided with a small opening in which a bolt 40 isthreadably mounted. A knob 42 is attached to the upper end of the bolt40 and a pressure plate 44 is attached to the lower end of the bolt. Inthis way, by rotating the knob 42 the pressure plate 44 can be raisedand lowered inside the collector can 18 for reasons to be describedbelow.

The base 24 of the collector can is provided with an opening in which asleeve 46 is mounted, see FIG. 2. The external periphery of the upperend of the sleeve 46 is threaded. A secondary filter 48 is mounted on asleeve support 50 having internal threads. With this arrangement thesecondary filter 48 can be removably mounted on the upper end of sleeve46.

The external periphery of the lower end of sleeve 46 is also threaded.An internally threaded cage sleeve 52 is threadably mounted onto thelower end of sleeve 46. One end of a coil spring 54 engages the bottomof cage 52 and the other end of coil spring 54 engages a semi- 3spherical valve member 55 and holds valve member 55 in yieldingengagement with the lower end of sleeve 46 in a valve closed positionfor reasons to become apparent below.

An electric motor 56 driving an exhaust fan (not shown) is mounted inthe motor or base housing as shown in the drawing. The motor driven fanis designed to exhaust the air from the base housing through an opening(not shown) in base plate 58.

An exhaust housing 60 is secured to the lower surface of base plate 58.This exhaust housing is provided with a single tubular outlet conduit62. A conduit 64 is connected at one end to outlet 62. The opposite endof conduit 64 is connected to a hose receiving pipe 66-mounted as shownin the base housing 20, see FIGS. 2 and 5. An air de-. flector 67 isremovably mounted on the upper end of the hose receiving pipe 66 toprevent air forced by motor 56 through the conduit 66 from blowing on tothe operator of the suction cleaner. With this arrangement all the airexhausted from the base housing 20 is forced through conduit 64 into thehosereceiving pipe 66, and from there into the ambient air, see FIG. 2.

A support plate 68 is pivotally mounted at one end on wall 70 of basehousing 20, see FIG. 7. An electric switch 72 is mounted on the free endof support plate 68. The switch 72 is provided with an operating plunger74. The switch is so constructed that it is actuated and alternatelycloses and opens each time the operating plunger 74 is pressed. As seenin FIG. 7, the operating plunger 74 is positioned closely adjacent base24 of the collector can 18.

An actuating rod 76 is connected at one end to support plate 68 and atthe other end to base plate 58. In addition, a coil spring 78 isalso'connected between support plate 68and base plate 58 to bias thesupport plate 68 and the operating plunger 74 of switch 72 away frombase 24, see FIG. 7.

A two arm lever 80 is pivotally mounted on base plate 58 at pivot 82.One end portion 84 of lever 80 is connected to the actuating rod 76, asshown in FIG. 7. The other end portion 86 of lever 80 is connected tothe lower end of a vertically disposed push rod 88 mounted between baseplate 58 and the upper horizontal wall 90 of base housing 20, see FIGS.5, 6 and 8.

The upper end 92 of push rod 88 is enlarged and.

This in turn causes end portion 84 of lever 80 to pivot upwardly forcingactuating rod 76 in an upward direction. This upward movement pivotssupport plate 68 up- Wardly so that the operating plunger 74 of switch72 is pressed and actuates switch 72. When foot pressure is removedfromthe upper end 92 of push rod 88, coil spring 78 biases the supportplate 68 back so that the switch 72 moves away from base 24. In this waypressure is removed fromthe operating plunger 74. As a result, if theterminals of electric switch 72 are connected to the power lines of themotor 56, the motor can be manually started or stopped by exerting footpressure on end 92 of push rod 88 to first actuate switch 72 to startthe motor. After foot pressure is removed from end 92 of push rod 88long enough .to permit the operating plunger 74 to reset, the motor canbe stopped by again exerting foot pressure on end portion 92 of push rod88 to again actuate the switch and cause the motor to stop.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a firstinlet opening 94 is fo med in the baseplate 58. This opening may be closed off by a pivotally mounted valveplate 96, see FIG. 7. Valve plate 96 is biased to a closed position bymeans of a spring 78, as shown. The valve plate 96 is provided with anattached actuating lip 98 in operating engagement with the end portion84 of lever 80, see FIG.'7. Dimensions of lip 98, and the positions ofpivot 100 of the valve plate 96 are chosen so that when footpresmovement initially engages lip 98 of valve plate 96 to first pivotthe valve plate 96 to an open position, thereby permitting. air to enterhousing 20 through opening 94. This opening movement of valve plate 96occurs before the upward movement of actuating rod 76 moves far enoughto actuate switch 72 to start the motor. When foot pressure on the endportion 92 of push rod 88 is removed, the spring 78 biases. the valveplate 96 to a closed position where it closes off opening 94. Thisarrangement serves as a time delay to delay the buildup of a vacuum inthe base housing 20 for reasons to become apparent below.

To operate the suction cleaner for dry pickup, a filter bag 101 isremovably attached to the lower end 102 of the elbow 34 inside thecollector can 18, see FIG. 2. This filter bag 101 is placed inside ofplastic perforate basket 103. The basket 103 standson legs 104 on base24 of the collector can.

In operation to this point, when foot pressure is exerted on end 92 ofpush rod 88, first, valve plate 96 opens, and then the switch 72 isforced upwardly depressing plunger 74 to close switch 72 to start themotor. When foot pressure on end portion 92 of the push rod 88 isremoved, the plunger 74 resets and valve plate 96 closes.

Operation of, motor 56 after valve plate 96 closes evacuates the basehousing 20 and the resulting suction pulls valve member 55 away from itsseat at the lower end of sleeve 46. This establishes. air communicationbetween the collector can 18 and the base housing 20. This suction thenappears at the inlet to the collector can 18 at elbow 34 so that dirt isdrawninto the filter bag 101. When the filter bag 101 is filled, or ifthe filter bag ruptures causing the secondary filter 48 to clog, the airflow through the sleeve 46 decreases or is cut off, as explained inco-pending patent application No. 65,083 filed Oct. 26, 1960. When thishappens, the portion of ply 28 of the base 24 of the collector can,serving as a diaphragm is drawn into the base housing, thereby exertingpressure against plunger 74 of switch 72 to actuate the switch and stopthe motor.

It is important to note that when using the switch 72, which alternatelystarts and stops the motor 56 each time it is pressed, time must beprovided for the plunger 74 to reset after the switch is actuated. Byproviding the above described time delay mechanism, wherein valve plate96 opens before switch 72 is actuated, operation of the motor does notimmediately build up a vacuum in the base housing 20. This is becauseair enters the base housing 20.through opening 94 when the valve plate96 is open, as seen in FIG. 7. Without this arrangement the vacuum wouldbuild up so rapidly in base housing 20' that the diaphragm part of thebase 24 of the collectors can 18 'would be drawn into engagement withthe operating plunger 74 and would stay in engagement with the plunger.This would prevent plunger 74 from" resetting so that in effect switch72 would become in operative and fixed in a switch closed position. Thebrief time delay provided by the opening movement of the valve plate 96is suflicient to permit the plunger 74 of switch 72 to reset and thevalve member 55 to open before the valve plate 96 closes. Thus operationof the suction cleaner is assured.

For wet pick up operation the filter bag 101, basket 103, and secondaryfilter 48, along with sleeve .50 are removed. In their place a standpipe 106 having a threaded lower end is screwed onto the upper end ofsleeve 46, see FIG. 3.

A float sleeve 108 is slidably mounted on the stand pipe 106. Acylindrical float 110, tubular in shape, is concentric with and rigidlysecured to the outer surface of the float sleeve 108. A generallyconical coil spring 111 is provided. The lower smaller end 112 of thecoil spring is secured or anchored to the end 114 of the stand pipe 106by any suitable means. The upper or larger end 113 of the coil spring issecured to a hemispherical valve member 116. With this arrangement thevertical axis of the valve member 116 always coincides with thelongitudinal axis of the stand pipe 106. Although valve member 116 isgenerally hemispherical in shape, the shape is not critical and othervalve shapes are possible. For example, the valve could be conical or atruncated cone in shape. In addition, it is not essential for coilspring 111 to be conical.

In operation, when. the suction cleaner is being used for wet pick up,the [rising liquid level causes the float 110 to rise, carrying floatsleeve 108 upwardly. When the level of liquid rises high enough, theupper end 118 of the float sleeve 108 engages the valve membr 116cutting off the flow of air through the stand pipe 106. When thishappens continued operation of motor 56 evacuates the base housing 20 sothat the diaphragm portion of base 24 of the collector can 18 in lowerply 28 is drawn down further into the base housing 20 as shown by thedash lines in FIG. 5. This movement causes this diaphragm portion ofbase 24 to engage operating plunger 74 of switch 72, thereby actuatingthe switch to cut off the motor and prevent the suction cleaner fromover filling. As stated above, the upper ply 26 of base 24 is dished toprovide enough strength to base 24 to prevent it from sagging under theweight of the water, and thereby making the switch 72 inoperative beforethe liquid level reaches a predetermined height.

The suction cleaner described to this point operates generally in thesame Way as the suction cleaner described in patent application No.65,083 of which this is a continuation in part. As described above,however, this suction cleaner is additionally provided with means forspraying cleaning fluid and for forcibly pumping out and evacuating theliquid in the collector can 18 after use. To do this, as shown in FIGS.6 and 8, the base plate 58 of base housing 20 is provided with a secondopening 120. This opening can he closed off by a second valve plate 122.Valve plate 122 is pivotally mounted on base plate 58 on support 124 asshown in FIG. 8. The lip 126 is positioned so it is engaged by endportion 128 of a pivotally mounted lever 130. The opposite end portion132 of lever 130 is in operative engagement with the lower end of asecond vertically disposed push rod 134 mounted between base plate 58and the upper horizontal wall 90 of base housing 20.

The upper end 136 of push rod 134 is enlarged, see FIG. 3, to serve as afoot pedal. In addition, a collar 138 is formed on push rod 136 and acoil spring 140 on push rod 134 bears between collar 138 and the baseplate 58 to bias the push rod upwardly. In addition, a second coilspring 142, see FIG. 5, is mounted on lip 126 of valve plate 124 to biasthe valve plate 122 to a position where it closes ofi opening 120. Withthis arrangement foot pressure on the upper end 136 of push rod 134moves valve plate 122 to an open position shown in FIG. 8. When footpressure is removed from portion 136 of the push rod 134, the valveplate 122 moves back to its closed position as shown in FIG. 5, closingoff opening 120. When the suction cleaner is to be used for spraying acleaning fluid, or for pumping out the cleaning fluid in the collectorcan 18, after use, the valve plate is moved to the open position shownin FIG. 8 to permit the entry of air into the base housing 20.

As shown in FIG. 8, the head or upper end of push rod 136 is spaced fromcollar 138 defining a narrow groove 140 therebetween. This groove isdesigned to engage the edges of opening 142 in wall 90' through whichthe push rod 134 extends, to releasably hold the push rod down and thevalve plate 122 in the open position shown in FIG. 8.

A conventional outlet drain 144 is mounted in the lower portion ofcollector can 18. This drain is provided with a conventional valve 146to open or close the drain as desired. A drain outlet hose 148 issecured to the out- 6 let drain 144 as shown in FIG. 8. With thisarrangement the container can 18 can be emptied, although slowly, byforce of gravity where sewer drains are at a point lower than base 24.However, when the drain outlet is in a sink, at a level higher than thecontainer can, this an rangement is ineflectual.

In order to pump out the liquid in the container can 18 more rapidlythan it would drain out by the force of gravity, or in order to pump theliquid in the container can into a sewer outlet which is higher than thecontainer can 18, or to [forcibly spray the liquid in the container canon to a surface to be cleaned, a hose 150 is connected between the hosereceiving pipe 66 and elbow 34. In addition, knob 42 is rotated untilpressure plate 44 engages the upper surface of valve member 116 andforces it down into engagement with the upper end 114 of stand pipe 106,see FIG. 8. This in effect closes the stand pipe 106 and breaks aircommunication between the container can 18 and base housing 20 throughthe stand pipe.

With this arrangement, operation of motor 56 draws air into base housing20* through opening and pumps the air out of housing 20 through conduit64 and hose into container can 18, thus pressurizing the can. Thisincreased pressure forces or pumps the liquid in the container can 18out of the container can with enough force so that liquid can bedischarged into a sewer outlet at a level higher than container can 18.It is important to note that the conical deflector 36 spreads out andexpands the air entering elbow 34 so that the force of the incomingpressurizing air does not interfere with the action of the float 110.

In order to more efliciently use the suction cleaner 10, a combinedspray applicator and cleaning tool 152 may be provided, see FIGS. 11 and12. The tool comprises a conventional wand 154. The lower end of thewand 154 is detachably connected to a generally V-shaped member 156.Member 156 is provided with a suction outlet 157 at its apex 159, andthe wings 158 of the V-shaped member are provided with spray holes 160.A valve plate 162 is rotatively mounted on the apex 159 of member 156.This plate is rotatable between an inlet open position as shown in FIG.13 and an inlet closed position as shown in FIG. 14. In order to use thesuction cleaner to spray cleaning fluid on a surface to be cleaned, thevalve plate is rotated to an inlet closed position as shown in FIGS. 12and 14. Then the upper end of wand 154 is connected to the outlet hose148, and the suction cleaner, after being filled with a cleaningsolution, is connected as shown in FIG. 8. When the motor is started,cleaning solution will be forced through the tool and out of the sprayholes 160 as shown in FIG. 12. After the surface to be cleaned is wettedwith the cleaning solution, valve plate 162 is opened. Next hose 148 isdisconnected from wand 154. Then hose 150 is removed and valve plate 122is closed. After this knob 42 is rotated in a direction which permitsvalve member 116 to unseat from the upper end 152 of stand pipe 106, sothat the spring 111 forces the valve member 116 to the position shown inFIG. 5. Then the wand 154 is connected to the inlet elbow 34 by asuitable hose (not shown) and the motor is started. With thisarrangement, as the tool is pushed over the floor, the cleaning solutionon the floor is forced through the suction inlet 157 at its apex 159.This sucks the cleaning solution into the machine. If desired, a rubbersqueegee, not shown, may be secured to the lower surfaces of theV-shaped member 158 to more completely dry the surface to be cleaned.After the cleaning solution has been drawn into the machine, the machineis again connected as shown in FIG. 8 and the now dirty cleaningsolution can be forcibly pumped out of the housing through the outlethose 148, as explained above.

Many wet pick-up suction cleaners now in use are designed with the motoron top of the collector can. The tools and the collector cans sold withthese suction cleaners represent a substantial investment and it may bedesirable to incorporate the features of this invention into suchequipment in order. to avoid wasting existing cans and tools and to moreeconomically use existing manufacturing tools. To do this. the modifiedsuction cleaner 170 shown in FIG. 9 contains a generally conventionalcontainer can 172. This container can is provided with a conventionaloutlet drain 174 and a'valve 176, like drain 144 and valve 146 shown inFIG. 8. As described more fully in the co-pending application No.65,083, the motor 178 driving an exhaust fan is mounted in a housing180, which as shown in FIG. 9, also serves as a lid for the containercan 172. This lid with the motor therein is detachable from thecontainer can by a suitable means. In this embodiment, the exhaust fanexhausts air inside the housing 180 through an outlet tube 182. Apartition or wall 184, at least a part of which is a diaphragm, isattached to housing 180 to separate the interior of the housing from theinterior of the collector can 172. In this way, housing 180 serves as asuction compartment. An alternate action switch 181 is mounted inhousing 180 and is connected to the power lines of motor 178. Thisswitch has an operating plunger 183 which is perpendicular and in closeproximity to wall or partition 184. This plunger is arranged so thatwhen it is pressed, the switch 181 is actuated to start or stop themotor. In addition, a manual reset knob 185 and a linkage mechanism 187are attached to switch 181 whereby the switch can be operated manuallyby pressing knob 185. The partition or wall 184 is provided withanopening through which tube 186 extends down into the collector can toa point below inlet conduit 188, see FIG. 9.

A first cage 190 is mounted over the upper end of tube 186 in thesuction compartment. A ball valve 192 is mounted in this cage with, acoil'spring 194 to bias the ball valve to a tube closed position.A'second cage 196 i secured to the lower end of tube 186 in thecontainer can 172. A spherical float valve 197 is mounted in this cageas shown. Tube 186 is severable into two sections at junction 198 by anysuitable means, and a safety filter (not shown) is removably mounted intube 186 at this junction.

To this point the modified suction cleaner operates for Wet and dry pickup in the same manner as explained in the co-pending patent applicationNo. 65,083, of which this is a continuation in part. However, in orderto modify the suction cleaner 170 so it can forcibly pump liquid out ofthe container, as explained in the description of the suction cleaner10, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, means are provided for positively closingtube 186. In particular, as explained above in connection with theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, a bolt 202 is threadably mounted in themotor housing 180, as shown in FIG. 9. A knob 203 is attached to the topof the bolt for rotating it and a valve engaging member 205 is securedto the bottom of the bolt. By rotation of knob 203 the valve engagingmember 205 can be moved downwardly into cage 190 and on into enga-ge-.

ment with ball valve 192.to force the balllvalve into engagement withthe tube 186, to positively close the tube and prevent the passage ofair therethrough.

In operation, when it is desired to forcibly pump the liquid out of thecontainer can 172, a hose 208 is connected between the inlet conduit 188and the outlet tube 182. The knob 203 is rotated to cause the valveengaging member 205 to move into engagement with ball valve 192 andthereby force the ball valve into engagement with tube 186 to positivelyclose the. tube and cut off air communication between housing 180 andthe contalner can 172. Next, closure 206 is opened. Then the motor 178is started to draw air into housing 180. From there the air is forced byoperation of motor 178 through hose 208 into container can 172, thuspressurizing the can. When valve 176 is opened the liquid in thecontainer can is pumped out of drain 174. It is contemplated thathousing 180 with the motor 178 mounted therein along with 8 the wall orpartition 184 and tube 186 may be made and sold separately as a unit, asshown in FIG. 10. Such a.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without.

departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof as setforth in the claims, and the present embodiment is therefore to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive and it is intended toinclude all changes which come within the scope and range of the claims.

I claim:

1. A suction cleaner of the class described comprising a housing, saidhousing including a collector can and a motor housing, a motor drivenexhaust fan mounted in said motor housing, said collector can removablymounted on said motor housing whereby the base of said collectorcanserves as a partition separating said collector can from said motorhousing, at least a part of the base of said collector can comprising adiaphragm, said collector can having an inlet conduit and a valvecontrolled outlet drain secured thereto, an outlet conduit in said motorhousing, said baseof said collector can having a tube extendingtherethrough to provide air communication between said collector can andsaid motor housing, a valve in said motor housing for closing the partof said tube in said motor housing, means biasing said valve to a tubeclosed position, a stand pipe adapted to be removably connected to saidtube, a float valve associated with said stand pipe for closing saidstand pipe when the liquid level. in said collector can reaches apre-determined level whereby when said float valve closes said standpipe the evacuation of said motor housing by continued operation of saidmotor driven exhaust fan draws the part of said base comprising adiaphragm a distance into said motor housing, an alternate action switchconnected to the power lines of the motor driven exhaust fan, saidalternate action switch mounted on'a support and having an operatingplunger facing and in close proximity to said diaphragm part of the baseof the collector can, said support movable toward and away from the baseof said collector can whereby each time said support is moved towardsaid base of said collector can, said operating plunger is pressed toactivate said switch to start or stop the motor driven exhaust fan,operator controlled means for controlling the movement of said supportwhereby the suction cleaner can be stopped or started, said plunger ofsaid alternate action switch positioned so when said part of the base ofthe collector can serving as a diaphragm is drawn further into saidmotor housing the diaphragm presses said opearting plunger with enoughforce to cause said alternate action switch to stop saidmotor wherebythe motor driven exhaust fan is automatically stopped when the liquid insaid collector can reaches a predetermined level, a valve for closingsaid tube, externally controlled means for engaging said valve andcausing it to positively close said tube, an inlet opening in said motorhousing, a closure for said inlet opening movable between an inlet openposition and an inlet closed position, a hose adapted to be removablyconnected between said outlet conduit in said motor housing and saidinlet conduit in said collector can whereby operation of said motordriven exhaust fan while said valve positively closes said tube and saidclosure in said motor housing is in an inlet open position draws airinto said motor housing through said inlet opening and forces said airthrough said hose to said collector can to pressurize said collector canwhereby liquid in said collector can may be forcibly pumped out of saidcollector can through said valve controlled outlet drain independentlyof the level of the liquid in the collector can.

2. The suction cleaner described in claim 1, including a time delaymeans for delaying the build up of a vacuum in said motor housing whensaid motor driven fan is started to permit said operating plunger ofsaid alternate action switch to reset for the next switch actuation.

3. The suction cleaner described in claim 2 wherein said time delaymeans for delaying the build up of a vacuum in said motor housingcomprises a second opening in said motor housing, a second closure forsaid opening movable between an open position and a closed position,said operator controlled means connected to said second closure in sucha waythat said closure momentarily moves to an open position when saidalternate action switch is actuated by said operator controlled means topermit air to momentarily enter the motor housing through said secondopening long enough to prevent the build up of a vacuum in the motorhousing until said operating plunger has reset.

4. A suction cleaner of the class described comprising a collector can,said collector can having an inlet conduit and a valve controlled outletdrain secured thereto, a combined motor housing and a lid, said combinedmotor housing and lid adapted to be removably mounted over the collectorcan, a part of said combined motor housing and lid serving as apartition to separate the interior of said combined motor housing andlid from the interior of said collector can when said combined motorhousing and lid is mounted over the collector can, at least a part ofsaid partition portion of said combined motor housing and lid comprisinga diaphragm, said combined motor housing and lid having a verticallydisposed tube extending therethrough to provide air communication tosaid collector can, a float valve secured to the lower part of said tubefor closing off said tube when liquid collected in said collector canreaches a predetermined depth, a second valve connected to the upperpart of the tube, means biasing said second valve to a tube closedposition, a motor driven exhaust fan mounted in said combined motorhousing and lid, an outlet conduit in said combined motor housing andlid whereby operation of said motor evacuates said combined motorhousing and lid and overcomes the force exerted by said biasing meansand holds said second valve to a tube open position as long as the flowof air through said tube is maintained at a predetermined volume, saidmotor driven fan having a power cut off, means in said combined motorhousing and lid connected to said power cut off and associated with saiddiaphragm part of said partition so that whenever the flow of airthrough said tube falls below a predetermined volume and said floatvalve or said second valve closes, continued operation of said motorcauses the part of said partition serving as a diaphragm to move adistance into said combined motor housing and lid suflicientto actuatethe power cut off and stop said motor, an inlet opening in said combinedmotor housing and lid, a closure for said inlet opening movable betweenan inlet open position and an inlet closed position, a hose adapted tobe removably connected between said outlet conduit in said combinedmotor housing and lid and said inlet conduit in said collector can,additional means mounted on said combined motor housing and lid andexternally controlled for positively closing said valve and close saidtube independently of the level of liquid in the collector can wherebyoperation of said motor with said closure in an open position and withsaid means positively closing said tube causes air to be drawn into saidcombined motor housing and lid through said inlet opening and forcesthis air through said hose to said collector can to pressurize saidcollector can whereby liquid in said collector can may be forciblypumped out of said collector can through said outlet drain independentlyof the level of liquid in the collector can.

5. A suction cleaner of the class described comprising a housing, saidhousing comprising a collector can and a motor housing, said collectorcan removably mounted on said motor housing whereby the base of saidcollector can serves as a partition separating said collector can fromsaid motor housing, at least a part of the base of said collector cancomprising a diaphragm, said collector can having an inlet conduit and avalve controlled outlet drain secured thereto, said motor housing anoutlet conduit secured thereto, a motor driven exhaust fan mounted insaid motor housing, said base of said collector can having a tubeextending therethrough both to provide air communication between saidcollector can and said motor housing and to serve as a stand pipe in thecollector can, a float valve in said collector can for closing oil" saidtube when the liquid in said collector can reaches a predetermined depthwhereby when said float valve closes off said tube, the evacuation ofsaid motor housing by continued operation of said motor driven exhaustfan draws the part of said base of said collector can comprising adiaphragm further into said motor housing, said motor driven exhaust fanhaving a power cut off, and means connected to said power cut ofl andassociated with said diaphragm part of the base of the collector can sothat when said part of the base of the collector can serving as adiaphragm is drawn further into said motor housing the power cut off isactuated whereby the motor driven exhaust fan is automatically stoppedwhen the liquid in said collector can reaches a predetermined level,means for positively closing said tube independently of the level ofliquid in the collector can, an inlet opening in said motor housing, aclosure for said inlet opening movable between an inlet open and aninlet closed position, a hose adapted to be removably connected betweensaid outlet conduit in said motor housing and said inlet conduit in saidcollector can whereby operation of said motor driven exhaust fan whilesaid means positively closes said tube and said closure in said motorhousing is in an inlet open position, draws air into said motor housingthrough said inlet opening and forces air through said hose to saidcollector can to pressurize said collector can whereby liquid in saidcollector can may be forcibly pumped out of said collector can throughsaid outlet drain independently of the level of liquid in the collectorcan.

6. A suction cleaner of the class described comprising a housing, saidhousing comprising a collector can and a motor housing, said collectorcan removably mounted on said motor housing whereby the base of saidcollector can serves as a partition separating said collector can fromsaid motor housing, an opening formed in said base providing aircommunication between said collector can and said motor housing, saidcollector can having a removable lid, an inlet conduit in said lid, avalve controlled outlet drain secured to said collector can, a motordrivenv exhaust fan mounted in said motor housing, said motor housinghaving an outlet conduit secured thereto whereby operation of said motordriven fan exhausts air from said motor housing and causes a suction atsaid inlet conduit, an externally operated valve for positively closingsaid opening in said base independently of the level of liquid in saidcollector can whereby operation of said motor while said valve is openproduces a suction at said inlet conduit in said collector can, an inletopening in said motor housing, a closure for said opening movablebetween an inlet open and an inlet closed position, a hose removablyconnected between said outlet conduit in said motor housing and saidinlet conduit in said collector can whereby operation of said motorwhile said valve closes said opening in said base and said closure is inan inlet open position draws air into said motor housing through saidinlet opening and forces said air through said hose to said collectorcan to pressurize said can whereby liquid in said collector can can beforcibly pumped out of said collector can through said outlet drainindependently of the level of liquid in the collector can.

7. A suction cleaner of the class described comprising a housing, saidhousing including a collector can and a motor housing, a motor drivenexhaust fan mounted in said motor housing, said collector can removablymounted on said motor housing whereby the base of said collector canserves as a partition separating said collector can from said motorhousing, at least a part of the base of said collector can comprising adiaphragm, said collector can having an inlet conduit and a valvecontrolled outlet drain, an outlet conduit in said motor housing, saidbase of said collector scan having a tube extending therethrough toprovide air communication between said collector can and said motorhousing, a valve in said motor housing for closing the part of said tubein said motor housing, means biasing said valve to a tube closedposition, a stand pipe adapted to be removably connected to said tube, afloat sleeve slidably mounted on said stand pipe, a float member securedto said float sleeve, a valve member resiliently mounted on the upperend of said stand pipe and in upwardly spaced relation thereto, saidvalve member shaped so as the liquid level in said collector can risessaid float lifts the upper end of said float sleeve into engagement withsaid valve member to cut off the flow of air through said stand pipewhereby when said valve member cuts oil the flow of air through saidstand pipe, continued operation of said motor driven exhaust fan drawsthe portion of said base comprising a diaphragma distance into saidmotor housing, said collector can having a lid, a vertically disposedbolt threadably mounted in said lid, means on the upper end of said boltfor rotating said bolt, valve engaging means on the lower end of saidbolt whereby rotation'of said bolt in one direction lowers said valveengaging means into engagement with said valve member and forces saidvalve member into engagement with the upper end of said stand pipe topositively close said stand pipe whereby the collector can may bepressurized independently of the level of the liquid in the collectorcan, an alternate switch connected to the power lines of the motordriven exhaust fan, said alternate action switch mounted on a supportand having an operating plunger facing and in close proximity to saiddiaphragrnpart of the base of the collector can, said support movabletoward and away from the base of said collector can whereby each timesaid support is moved toward said base of said collector can saidoperating plunger is pressed to actuate said switch to start or stop themotor driven exhaust fan, operator controlled means for controlling themovement of said support whereby the suction cleaner can be stopped orstarted, said plunger of said alternate action switch positioned so whensaid part of the base of the collector can serving as a diaphragm isdrawn further into said motor housing, the diaphragm presses saidoperating plunger with enough force to cause said alternate actionswitch to stop said motor whereby the motor driven ex- 12 haust fan isautomatically stopped when the liquid in said collector can reaches apredetermined level, a first inlet opening in-said motor housing, afirst closure for said inlet opening movable between an inlet openposition and an inletclosed position, a hose adapted to be removablyconnected between said outlet conduit in said motor housing and saidinlet conduit in said collector can whereby operation of said motordriven exhaust fanvwhile said valve member is adjusted to positivelyclose said stand pipe and said first closure in said'motor housing is inan inlet open position, draws air into said motor housing through saidinlet opening and forces said air through said hose to said collectorcan to pressurize said collector can whereby liquid in said collectorcan may be forcibly pumped out of said collector can through said valvecontrolled outlet drain independently of the level of the liquid movablebetween an open position and a closed position, said operator controlledmeans connected to said second closure in such a way that said closuremomentarily moves to an, open positon when said alternate action switchis actuated by said operator controlled means to permit air tomomentarily enter the housing through said second opening long enough toprevent the build up of a vacuum there until said operation plunger hasreset.

10. The suction cleaner described in claim 9 wherein said base of saidcollector can is two ply in thickness, the upper ply dished to providestrength to prevent the base from sagging under the weight of the liquidin the collector can, at least a part of the lower ply of the basecomprising a diaphragm.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,533,395 12/1950 Paine 210-416 X2,643,732 6/1953 Keen 15-321 X 2,731,103 1/ 1956 Ortega.

FOREIGN PATENTS 349,043 11/ 1960 Switzerland.

ROBERT W, MICHELL, Primary Examiner,

6. A SUCTION CLEANER OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING A HOUSING, SAIDHOUSING COMPRISING A COLLECTOR CAN AND A MOTOR HOUSING, SAID COLLECTORCAN REMOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID MOTOR HOUSING WHEREBY THE BASE OF SAIDCOLLECTOR CAN SERVES AS A PARTITION SEPARATING SAID COLLECTOR CAN FROMSAID MOTOR HOUSING, AN OPENING FORMED IN SAID BASE PROVIDING AIRCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID COLLECTOR CAN AND SAID MOTOR HOUSING, SAIDCOLLECTOR CAN HAVING A REMOVABLE LID, AN INLET CONDUIT IN SAID LID, AVALVE CONTROLLED OUTLET DRAIN SECURED TO SAID COLLECTOR CAN, A MOTORDRIVEN EXHAUST FAN MOUNTED IN SAID MOTOR HOUSING, SAID MOTOR HOUSINGHAVING AN OUTLET CONDUIT SECURED THERETO WHEREBY OPERATION OF SAID MOTORDRIVEN FAN EXHAUST AIR FROM SAID MOTOR HOUSING AND CAUSES A SUCTION ATSAID INLET CONDUIT, AN EXTERNALLY OPERATED VALVE FOR POSITIVELY CLOSINGSAID OPENING IN SAID BASE INDEPENDENTLY OF THE LEVEL OF LIQUID IN SAIDCOLLECTOR CAN WHEREBY OPEATION OF SAID MOTOR WHILE SAID VALVE IS OPENPRODUCES A SUCTION AT SAID INLET CONDUIT IN SAID COLLECTOR CAN, AN INLETOPENING IN SAID